Shuanghai River Canyon Rafting

Shuanghai River Canyon Rafting

Geographic Location of Shuanghai River

The Shuanghai River, part of the Songkan River system in Guizhou, originates from the majestic mountains of northern Guizhou. It reaches the confluence of two rivers, the starting point of the Shuanghai River Canyon Rafting, and flows into the territory of Ganshui Town, Qijiang District, Chongqing. In Ganshui, it converges with the Zhaodu River and the Yangdu River to form the Qijiang River. From the confluence, the river slices through Guantian Ridge and Qixing Rock, creating a narrow, 6.8-kilometer-long canyon with cliffs towering thousands of feet high and a “skyline slit,” while thousands of stalactites hang dramatically from both sides. This area now marks the boundary between Chongqing and Guizhou and was historically a vital trade route for merchants and goods between eastern Sichuan and Guizhou from the Western Han Dynasty to the late Qing and early Republican periods. The Shuanghai River Canyon Rafting is located right here.

The Origins of Shuanghai River and Shuanghai Stockade

Shuanghai River guards the strategic passage between Sichuan and Guizhou and was a necessary route for merchants and goods. Its treacherous terrain and dense vegetation made it an ideal haunt for bandits (known as "shuanghai") who preyed on passing merchants and engaged in highway robbery. This was especially prevalent during times of dynastic change when government troops were too preoccupied to maintain order. The bandits thrived here, using a valley on the right bank of the river, filled with caves of all sizes, as their hideout and treasure storage. Over time, the section of the river originally called the Songkan River came to be renamed by merchants as the Shuanghai River, while the densely forested, steep-walled valley with mysterious caves—still uninhabited and preserved in its pristine state—became known as Shuanghai Stockade.

Introduction to the Geology and Landforms of Shuanghai River Canyon

The Shuanghai River Canyon features typical karst landforms, with vertical depths of over 500 meters. The canyon is flanked by sheer cliffs, with nearly a hundred caves of varying sizes scattered along both sides. Inside the canyon, there are hundreds of thousands of uniquely shaped stalactites hanging from above, stone stalagmites rising from the water, and stone mushrooms growing from the walls. Huge stalactites and stone mushrooms that have fallen into the river resemble miniature stone mountain landscapes, creating breathtaking scenery. Together, they form a rare and spectacular 6-kilometer-long “Stalactite Corridor.”

Introduction to Shuanghai River Canyon Rafting

The rafting route is approximately 6.8 kilometers long and is done in self-paddled two-person or three-person rafts, offering a fully independent experience. The entire journey takes you through the stunning “Stalactite Corridor” where “cliffs tower a thousand feet high, a slit of sky shines through, stalactites hang in countless forms from both banks, rugged peaks and exotic plants abound, and eagles scream as birds shiver by the water.” Along the way, you’ll encounter dozens of rapids, small and large, with drops of varying heights. The shallowest parts just reach your ankles, while the deepest reach about 1.5 meters. Enjoy the spectacular and majestic scenery of the canyon throughout the trip.

Lo

cation: Songzao Niuhshekou Canyon (9 km left after exiting the Anwen Toll Station on the Chongqing-Guizhou Expressway)

Ph

one: 13983956758

Transportation Route: Qijiang — Chongqing-Guizhou Expressway — Exit at Anwen — Songzao (4.5 km) — Shuanghai River Canyon Rafting Reception Center

Information Source: Dengkou County Tourism Bureau